ᐅ How can I customize Ikea Pax wardrobes with lighting elements?

Hello everyone, I am planning to equip my Ikea Pax wardrobes with custom lighting elements and am looking for practical yet visually appealing solutions. I am especially interested in how to best integrate the lighting without limiting the functionality of the wardrobes or involving overly complicated electrical installations. Are there proven methods for installing LEDs or other lighting elements that fit well into the shelves or behind the doors? Tips on suitable light sources, control options (e.g., motion sensors or remote controls), and routing cables within the Pax units would also be greatly appreciated. Who here has experience or can offer practical recommendations that can be implemented without professional electrical knowledge?

Bolusi schrieb:
Are there any proven methods for installing LEDs or other lighting elements that fit well into shelves or behind doors?

For integrating LEDs into Ikea Pax units, it is recommended to use slim 12 V LED strips, preferably dimmable and switchable via a separate power supply. These can be easily mounted on the back panel or under shelves.

Bolusi schrieb:
Tips on suitable light sources, control options (e.g., motion sensors or remote controls), and routing cables inside the Pax modules would be greatly appreciated.

Motion sensors for IKEA PAX wardrobe lighting are available as complete sets or separate modules and can be connected between the power supply and LED strip. Cables are best routed in the baseboards or behind existing edges to maintain a neat appearance. A 12 V power supply is recommended for the electricity, installed outside the wardrobe, possibly near a socket inside the cabinet.

It is important to secure the wiring properly, for example with adhesive tape or clips that do not require drilling. This way, the installation remains reversible.

toril schrieb:
For integrating LEDs into Ikea Pax, it is recommended to use narrow LED strips with 12 V

I would like to add some more detail, as there are several factors to consider when selecting the LEDs: The color temperature should ideally be between 2700 K and 4000 K to produce warm white to neutral white light, which creates a pleasant indoor atmosphere. Cooler white LEDs (above 5000 K) are less suitable for living spaces.

The installation process is as follows:

- First, measure the interior dimensions of the cabinet exactly to cut the LED strips accordingly.
- Choose high-quality LED strips (at least 60 LEDs per meter) to ensure even illumination.
- For added convenience, motion sensors with delay functions can be installed so the light turns off automatically when the cabinet doors close.
- Route the cables along the inner frame parts or behind connectors. Ikea Pax usually has unused gaps that are suitable for this purpose.

One important tip: The power supply should be sized according to the estimated power consumption of the LEDs. Selecting an appropriate power adapter (e.g., 12 V, 2 A) ensures reliable operation.

Finally, it would be helpful to know how many doors and shelves are to be illuminated so the components can be better distributed.

Bolusi, do you already have a plan regarding the number of cabinets or lighting zones?

PLOMA schrieb:
Bolusi, do you already have a plan for the number of cabinets or lighting zones?

It is absolutely important to separate the electrical circuits. For many modules, several small power supplies are suitable.

For motion detectors, models with high sensitivity are recommended so that the lights turn on even with doors that are close together.

Additionally, I usually include connectors in the cables for future expansion. This makes later modifications easier.

GLAEL schrieb:
For motion detectors, models with high sensitivity are recommended so that the light turns on even with doors that have little clearance.

Additionally: There are special IR motion detectors designed for cabinets that are very compact and can be installed to still detect motion when the cabinet is nearly closed.

PLOMA schrieb:
The color temperature should ideally be between 2700 K and 4000 K

Absolutely correct; this range is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. Pay attention to the required IP rating (IP20 is sufficient for dry indoor areas, better to use IP44 for kitchens).

Regarding cable management: One option is to install cable conduits on the back of the Pax units, which can be mounted discreetly. This avoids hanging cables and saves space inside the cabinet.

In general, the entire cabinet configuration (including interior fittings like drawers) should be planned before installation to prevent any mechanical damage to the LEDs later on.